TDN RISING STARS

August 12, 2023 - CURRAGH, Msw, EUR €20,000, 7.0F, .0000

Diego Velazquez (Ire), C, 2, 2021 by Frankel (GB)

1st Dam: Sweepstake (Ire), by Acclamation (GB)
2nd Dam: Dust Flicker (GB), by Suave Dancer
3rd Dam: Galaxie Dust, by Blushing Groom (Fr)

Owner: Smith, Magnier, Tabor, Westerberg & Brant
Breeder: Epona Bloodstock Ltd (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

Saturday's Bord Na Mona Recycling Irish EBF Maiden at the Curragh has been a springboard to success in the G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. for Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who annexed two of the last three editions. This year's renewal witnessed the emergence of another potential candidate after Aidan O'Brien trainee Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) romped to 'TDN Rising Stardom' in the seven-furlong contest.

He had already caused a stir at Newmarket last October, when knocked down for 2.4-million guineas at Tattersalls' Book 1 sale, but was unable to fulfil a June engagement over this strip after suffering an allergic reaction. There was a buzz in the air for this belated debut and the April-foaled bay was hammered down to odds-on favouritism. The eventual winner was slightly askew leaving the gates and soon recovered to stalk the tempo in a prominent second. Asked to stretch soon after passing halfway, the 2-5 pick quickened stylishly to seize control approaching the final furlong and powered clear in impressive fashion to easily outclass Guildenstern (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) by 4 3/4 lengths.

Frankel, a 'TDN Rising Star' himself, now has 37 on a roster which also features multiple Group 1 winner Nashwa (GB), Sunday's G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois contender Onesto (Ire) and leading juvenile filly and stablemate Ylang Ylang (GB).

"We had him ready to run about a month ago, but he'd a little setback so we had to stop and start again," O'Brien explained. "We wanted to get him out and he was ready to come racing today. Ryan [Moore] said he was very babyish, but he obviously has a massive engine. He doesn't even know what he's at yet, he only came on the bridle with 50 yards to go and only realised he was racing then. We felt he could go anywhere, but looking at today you'd like to give him another run somewhere before he goes for a big one. He was absolutely half-speeding with horses [at home], but didn't take hold of the bridle today. That can happen first time as it did with Paddington first time in Ascot last year. He's probably going to come on and learn a lot from it."

Diego Velazquez, immediately identifiable due to his four white socks, has the option of Leopardstown's G2 Golden Fleece S. on Irish Champions Weekend next month, according to the trainer.

Diego Velazquez, the latest of 11 foals, becomes the seventh for Listed National S. victrix Sweepstake (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), whose own dam Dust Flicker (GB) (Suave Dancer) is a full-sister to G3 Prix de la Nonette victrix Dust Dancer (GB). Dust Dancer, in turn, is the second dam of G1 Phoenix S.-winning sire Zoffany (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and G3 Bengough S. winner Projection (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). Dust Flicker is also kin to G3 Fred Darling S. heroine Bulaxie (GB) (Bustino {GB}), herself the dam of G2 Premio Lydia Tesio victrix Claxon (GB) (Caerleon). Claxon is responsible for GIII Hillsborough S. victrix Cassydora (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), whose three stakes scorers include multiple Group 3 winner Ernest Hemingway (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G3 Prix d'Aumale victrix Toulifaut (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). The winner's siblings include G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud victor Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and MGSW G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. and G1 Coronation Cup placegetter Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}).